The Pool at Peninsula Chicago

The Peninsula Chicago on the “living like Oprah vacation”

Nothing about my “living like Oprah without her money” vacation was cheap.  Despite the pay for 2 nights, get the 3rd free promo, the Peninsula Chicago was still an expensive stay but worth every penny! I wasn’t concerned that I was forgoing points by staying here, I wanted to treat […]

Chicago Art Institute – my continued “What is Art” quest

The age old question of “what is art” continues to challenge me as I travel and am exposed to so many varied types of art.  Everyone has an opinion and I have learned to just like what i like whether or not someone deems it “good” or “bad” art.  Ah, […]

Two days in Chicago on my “living like Oprah” vacation

For all of the international travels I have done, there are a few U.S. cities that i am a bit embarrassed not to have visited yet – Chicago was one of them.  The flight from Philadelphia is short enough, there are two major league baseball teams and a plethora of […]

Partneope Relais Naples boutique hotel Woody Allen Annie Hall

My Inner Hotel Inspector Rarely Takes a Vacation

I often wonder if “it’s just me” with the crazy attention to detail when I visit and/or stay at hotels around the world.  It’s hard to turn off my inner “hotel inspector” when I travel for vacation…for me.  I’m constantly running through my due diligence checklist for hotels and I […]

Canadian Flag

Finding my tribe at TBEX Toronto and starting a new chapter after tragedy

  Last week was really a contrast of the best and worst of times. I started the week saying “goodbye” to my father and two days later still in a bit of funeral shock was boarding a plane for Toronto for my first TBEX (Travel Blogger Exchange) Conference. Having dealt […]

Miraval Art in desert

Breaking barriers….climbing walls at Miraval Spa

I was scheduled to leave Miraval around 11:30/noon for my flight to Chicago.  A lot can be done before noon at Miraval and I was ready to do it.  My day would start with a morning hike on the grounds out in the desert.  We would have two guides, one […]

Miraval Spa Art

Miraval Spa Solo Travel – My Journey to a Better Self

When you think Spa, I am sure it conjures up images of blissful relaxation in a massage room with scents of lavender or citrus or other pleasing scent.  You’d think a spa vacation is just more of that with a side of lounging in your fluffy robe at the pool […]

Miraval Room Spa Tucson

My Miraval Room – a relaxing spa oasis in Tucson

When you first check in to Miraval Spa in Tucson, you are seated in a leather chair that is quite comfortable.  Your room is first explained to you and you are then shown the bedroom showcase – apparently, just like the Westin Heavenly Bed (I have the pillows) or Four Seasons […]

Arriving at Miraval Spa – first impressions

Leaving the cold behind in April, I boarded the first of two Southwest flights on my way to Tucson, Arizona.  Changing planes in Chicago was easy enough in the terminal, I had enough time for a quick walk to get a snack before having to line up by number (quite […]